Monitoring events in Balochistan, CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor), China's Belt and Road Initiative and it's economic and strategic implications, Pakistan Military operations and ongoing Baloch struggle.News and Reports are collected from open sources to raise awareness among scholars, researchers and public in general.

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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/16/australia-unsure-how-assertive-china-will-act-penny-wong-saysAustralia unsure how ‘assertive’ China will act, Penny Wong saysShadow foreign affairs minister says Australia needs to ‘understand China, its motives and its mindsets’Paul KarpMonday 16 October 2017 04.33 BSTLast modified on Monday 16 October 2017 05.29 BSTAustralia does not “fully know” how an increasingly assertive China will use its power, Penny Wong has warned in a speech pledging to safeguard Australia’s sovereignty while accepting China as a global player.The defence and security communities must be “on the lookout for threats” as government and business expand the trade relationship with China, the Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman told the Australian Institute of International Affairs in Canberra on Monday.But Wong warned that discussion about China was “vulnerable … to infection with undertones of race and alienation”, citing One Nation’s “dystopian rhetoric” a…

By RICHARD A. BITZINGEROCTOBER 16, 2017 2:53 AM (UTC+8)641A colleague of mine loves to point out that I am constantly saying, “Back in the Nineties…” In other words, I am always commenting on current events by referencing incidents and aftereffects that took place more than 20 years ago.I guess that is just the occupational hazard of growing older. On the other hand, memory and experience help to put modern happenings into perspective. And lately, we seem to be revisiting an Asian security problem that many probably thought was long dead and buried: a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.THE DAILYBriefMust-reads from across Asia - directly to your inboxSorry, I can’t help it, but…back in the Nineties, the Chinese threat to Taiwan was perhaps the paramount security concern in East Asia. A war between China and Taiwan was considered to be the most likely military clash at that time, and it was the basis for most anxieties when it came to reg…

2017-10-16 10:48 China Daily Editor: LiYahuiA group of foreign diplomats and foreign experts working in China visit an exhibition in Beijing on 13,Oct,2017 showcasing China's achievements over the past five years. ZOU HONG/CHINA DAILYAccording to a communiqué issued after the Seventh Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which concluded in Beijing on Saturday, the Party's constitution will be amended to represent the new governance concepts, thoughts and strategies of the CPC Central Committee. [Special coverage]Among these is its vision for innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development with the rest of the world.It is almost 10 years since the onset of the global financial crisis and the world economy continues to reel from its fallout: The growth prospects for many countries remain gloomy, the wealth gaps between the rich and poor are widening, and protectionism and anti-global…

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/16/c_136681683.htmSource: Xinhua| 2017-10-16 02:36:02|Editor: MengjieRomanian director Cristian Mungiu (L), three times winner of Cannes prizes and president of the 2017 Shanghai International Film Festival, poses for a photograph with Sun Peng, Chairwoman and CEO of Zhejiang Roc Picture and the producer of The Chinese Widow, during the 8th edition of the film festival entitled Les Films de Cannes a Bucharest (Cannes Film Festival in Bucharest) at a cinema in Bucharest, capital of Romania, on Oct. 14, 2017. The 8th edition of the film festival entitled Les Films de Cannes a Bucharest (Cannes Film Festival in Bucharest) is an opportunity for Bucharesters to get more familiarized with the latest Chinese cinema productions. Among several films, "The Chinese Widow" screened here Sunday evening, is the star of this edition. (Xinhua/Gabriel Petrescu)By Marcela GANEABUCHAREST, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 8th edition of the film festival entitle…

When the Communist Party of China convenes in Beijing this week for its 19th national congress, all eyes will be on a leader described on the current cover of The Economist magazine as the most powerful man in the world.
Xi Jinping will be confirmed for a second five-year term as president, strengthening his status as one of the most influential Chinese leaders since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Historically, party conferences have focused on domestic issues, particularly economic development and political stability. However, China’s rise over the past three decades has turned it into the world’s second largest economy and a military and political force to be reckoned with.
As President Xi consolidates his power and vision, China’s rise to becoming a global superpower seems unstoppable, despite all the surrounding issues about mounting debts and slowing economic growth. Certainly, the rise of China as a global power …

Source:Xinhua Published: 2017/10/16 11:21:440From economic growth, financial risks, currency internationalization to the Belt and Road Initiative, China was frequently mentioned by financial officials at the just-concluded annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. As the world's second-largest economy, China's economic growth, the development of its financial markets, and its agenda of opening up and reform will have a major impact on the global economy and financial markets. STRONG GROWTH WITH REFORMS In its latest World Economic Outlook released on Tuesday, the IMF raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2017 and 2018 to 6.8 percent and 6.5 percent respectively, both 0.1 percentage point higher than the earlier forecast in July. For an economy with a total volume of over 11 trillion US dollars, maintaining such a high growth is not easy, said Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Gua…

IntroChina is set not only to provide Chinese RMB 100 billion in loans to the Belt and Road Initiative Fund but it will also provide RMB 2 billion to countries along the route this year. Also to benefit is another RMB 1 billion to South South Cooperation Fund. Prof Zhang Hong from the People’s Republic of China ideological school has disclosed.The Belt and Road plan is a multi-billion initiative aimed at linking Asia with Europe and Africa, and the countries in between. The initiative, formerly known as One Belt, One Road, brings together the landside Silk Road Economic Belt and Maritime Silk Road developments and serves as a bridge to the future President Xi Jinping visions. It will be recalled that President Jinping made five overseas trips last year visiting key points in the Belt and Road Initiative. Its infrastructure network intended to reinvigorate the ancient trade routes that once linked East a…

Dostain Khan Jamaldini was talking to a 20-member Iranian delegation led by Deputy Governor Sistan-Balochistan Ali Asghar Mir Shikari in Gwadar.07:29 PM, 15 Oct, 20170Chairman Gwadar Port Authority Dostain Khan Jamaldini has said that completion of Gwadar deep sea port and China Pakistan Mega Project (CPEC) mega project would bring a new economic revolution not only in the country rather the entire region.He was talking to a 20-member Iranian delegation led by Deputy Governor Sistan-Balochistan Ali Asghar Mir Shikari in Gwadar.On this occasion, during a briefing, Jamaldini said that construction work on Gwadar deep sea port and CPEC mega projects is in progress with full pace.He said that the Gwadar Port would play a vital role in promotion of contacts among China Pakistan, CARs, Iran and other regional countries.He further said that construction of an Internation…

Jaibans SinghOctober 16, 2017 0 CommentsOPINION 124 ViewsBalochistan, the most restive province of Pakistan, has entered into a new era of violence and dissent. Inputs regarding atrocities being committed on innocent civilians by the Pakistan Army and its militants are coming out frequently despite an attempt to keep the province under wraps.The prevalent unrest, due to extreme poverty, instability and the systematic looting of natural wealth of the resource rich province, is being accentuated by the build up of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that is looked upon as yet another attempt by the federal government to fully colonise the region.
Many incidents of extreme, brutal violence that have taken place in the last month in Balochistan. A suicide bombing on October, 5, at Fatehpur Dargah (shrine) in the Jhal Magsi area of the province has led to the death of more than 20 innocent people with many injure…

https://pakobserver.net/weapons-ammunition-seized-balochistan/Staff ReporterQuettaThe Frontier Corps Balochistan rounded up 14 illegal Afghan nationals in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in different parts of the province and seized a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR) statement, the FC Balochistan raided terrorist hideouts in Pirkoh, Dera Bugti, Surki, and Murgha Faqir Zai in Qila Saif Ullah.
Around 45 kg of explosives along with weapons and rounds were found

Muzaffarabad: Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Kashmir, while talking at various events during his tour of the Poonch Division, has said that the China-Pakistan Economic will run its course and no power will be able to stop it or decelerate its momentum. “This is a historic juggernaut that would not stop”.Addressing concerns expressed by lawyers, political workers, educationists and students, the President said that projects under CPEC were being implemented with speed, precision and efficiency. “Early dividends from early harvest projects are already benefiting Pakistan’s economy”.Sardar Masood Khan said that Azad Kashmir had now been inextricably linked to the Corridor, as work on the 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project and the 1124 MW Kohala Hydropower, located in the Azad territory, was moving full steam ahead. Two others projects – an expressway connecting Azad Kashmir with the CPEC…

As China’s senior Communist Party members anoint its future leaders, President Xi Jinping is poised to solidify his position and power at next week’s party congress.Backgrounder by Eleanor AlbertOctober 12, 2017Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijng to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary of the People's Liberation Army, August 1, 2017. Damir Sagolj/ReutersMore on:Online Writer/EditorIntroductionChina’s highest-ranking Communist Party members will gather in Beijing beginning October 18 for the Nineteenth Party Congress. The meeting takes place five years since Xi Jinping took the helm of China’s leadership and comes amid a rigorous crackdown on party corruption. While preparations for the congress have been shrouded in secrecy, the event will be closely watched for any changes to the governing system of the world’s second-largest economy and one of its largest milit…

By Eliot Kim Saturday, October 14, 2017, 12:54 PMGoogle+RedditLinkedInU.S. Conducts Its Fourth FONOP in Five Months, as the U.K. Revises Its Policy on FONOPs in the South China SeaThe USS Chafee leaves Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on June 23, 2017 (Photo: U.S. Navy)This week, the U.S. Navy conducted the Trump administration’s fourth freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) in the South China Sea, while the United Kingdom seemingly reversed its policy on such operations.On October, the USS Chafee conducted a FONOP near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. The guided-missile destroyer reportedly came within 16 nautical miles of the Paracels, which have been controlled by China since 1974. The USS Chafee notably did not pass the 12 nautical mile threshold that would delineate territorial waters under the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea. U.S. naval vessels conducting FONOPs…

The Balochistan Assembly. PHOTO: EXPRESSISLAMABAD: More than 3,000 posts reserved under the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package for holders of the province’s domicile have been lying vacant in 50 federal government ministries and departments.According to the data shared with the National Assembly, some 7,927 seats against 11,358 federal government posts reserved for Balochistan, under the 6% quota for the province, have been filled. However, 3,431 posts of different grades have been vacant for several years now.Majority of the vacant positions are concerned with the ministries of defense, water and power, industries and production as well as post office and other departments.ADVERTISEMENTAdVaccination success low in BalochistanThe Ministry for Water and Power has the most number of vacant posts – 838 in grade 1 to 20, of which 815 fall in the grade 1 to 16 ca…

KarachiBalochistan with a 700 km long coastal belt holds all potential to develop three more ports, besides the one at Gwadar, said Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Mir Hasal Khan Bizenjo.
Addressing the ceremony to mark inaugurationof Pakistan International Bulk Terminal by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at Port Qasim here Saturday, he said more ports can be built at Kalmat, Makula and Somiani.
“A port larger than Port Qasim can be built at Somiani and there is also no issue of financing as private sector has shown keen interest in any such proposition,” he said.
The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, however, emphasized that an extremely cautious approach has to be adopted for any ambitious scheme .
“It must not be at the cost of disturbing marine ecology and triggering environmental hazards,” he said regretting callous attitude of different stakeholders toward sanctity of nature.
“Develop…

http://nation.com.pk/national/15-Oct-2017/us-concerns-on-cpec-unfounded-ahsanOctober 15, 2017/ 1 CommentWASHINGTON - Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has urged the United States not to look at the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from an Indian perspective but as an economic plan to bring peace and stability in South Asia.Addressing gathering at the Embassy Forum, organized by the Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC on Friday, Ahsan Iqbal said that US Defence Secretary James Mattis’ concerns about over $50 billion CPEC were unfounded.Ahsan highlighted the economic gains and the security successes of Pakistan achieved in the last four years.In his remarks, the minister shared the remarkable progress made by Pakistan in the macroeconomic sector through prudent fiscal policies which resulted in economic growth rate of over 5.3 percent per annum. Major economic projects were under way, such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that would generate business opportunities for forei…

ANI | Last Updated: Sunday, October 15, 2017 11:33 AM IST￼The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or the CPEC is going to further escalate regional tensions according to an expert who has served with the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army's War College in Washington, DC.Washington: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or the CPEC is going to further escalate regional tensions according to an expert who has served with the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army's War College in Washington, DC.Dr. Robert G. Darius, a former research professor at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College, said, "The CPEC passing through disputed areas is not only vulnerability, but an additional source of regional tension, which is not needed in an already tensed and unstable area of the world, where India is the only bastion …